The NFL is getting close to the playoffs! Which means the futures you placed at the beginning of the year are getting closer and closer to catching. However, just because we’re close to the end of the season doesn’t mean you can’t still get down on some futures. There is still plenty of value to be had! Let’s look at the 2024 NFL futures updates and some of the best bets with value still out there!
2024 NFL Futures Updates And Best Bets
Super Bowl Champion
The first market to take a look at in the 2024 NFL futures is the top award. The Super Bowl Champion. Plenty of teams are still in contention to be able to win the Super Bowl. Even teams like the Chicago Bears (+100000) can be bet. However, I don’t recommend it. As a Bears fan, that would not be considered in best bets.
However, there are several other teams that should be considered. The current Super Bowl favorites are the Detroit Lions (+265). It’s easy to see why they are favorites. They’ve only lost one game and have pummeled plenty of teams. The Lions have also done well against teams with winning records, beating the Packers twice, the Vikings, the Seahawks, and the Texans.
However, is there enough value at +265? The game that will determine a lot is this week against the Bills. If you think the Bills are going to win, I’d wait to bet on the Lions as their odds should drop with a loss. If you think the Lions will win, I’d bet the Lions now as the odds will get shorter with a win against the Bills. Josh Allen and the Bills (+650) are making a good case to get your bets. Allen is making a case for the MVP and has been playing very well, including a win over the Chiefs.
Speaking of the Chiefs, they’re the second-favorite team at +450. After winning two in a row, is it possible +450 is an insult to the Chiefs? Are they truly on a cruise-control path right now before turning up their game in the playoffs? It’s hard to fade a team that’s done it twice in a row.
2024 NFL Futures Best Bets: Chiefs to Win Super Bowl (+450)
To Make The Playoffs
The to make the playoffs best bets in the 2024 NFL Futures markets is a pretty intriguing one. Take a team like the Rams (+150). Currently sitting at 7-6 and the eighth spot. After starting 1-4 they’ve won six of their last eight games, including a 44-42 win over the Bills last week. They have the 49ers, Cardinals, Jets, and Seahawks on deck. They lost the first game to the 49ers but have beaten the Cardinals and Seahawks already.
You can look to back teams like the Rams or fade teams, like the Commanders. Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have been great this year. However, can they continue? They have a very tough schedule on the way to the playoffs. They play the Saints and the Falcons, both of whom are in must-win. They also play the Eagles before finishing the season against the Cowboys. If they drop two of the three leading up to the Cowboys, the Cowboys could save some pride by winning and keeping them out of the playoffs. The Commanders are currently +400 to miss the playoffs.
Another team to target to make the playoffs is the Atlanta Falcons (+155). After spending a boatload of cash on Kirk Cousins, the Falcons have struggled recently. However, their fate is in their own hands and Cousins knows how to win. With games against some of the worst teams in the league, the Raiders, Giants, and Panthers, the toughest matchup they’ll have is the Commanders. The Falcons could win three of the next four.
2024 NFL Futures Best Bets: Falcons To Make The Playoffs (+155)
Division Winner
One of the most intriguing best bets opportunities for the 2024 NFL Futures market is in the AFC North. The Steelers (-220) currently have a two-and-a-half game lead over the Ravens. However, the Steelers have an incredibly hard strength of schedule in the next four games. This weekend they play the Eagles, followed by the Ravens, the Chiefs, and the Bengals. Three really hard games before closing out against the Bengals who went toe-to-toe with them earlier this year.
The Ravens (+180) have a little bit of an easier schedule. They face the Giants this weekend in what feels like an easy win. Then they face the Steelers, the Texans, and close against the Browns. With an easier schedule than the Steelers and a game against the Steelers, if Baltimore can win three of their last four, I think they take the division.
The other interesting division is the NFC West. The Seahawks (-120) face three-fourths of the NFC North before finishing the season against the Rams. It’ll be a tough, grueling schedule to get through. If they lose games to the Packers and Vikings, going on the road to Chicago in the cold will be tough. At that point, the game against the Rams could be for the division.
We already talked about the Rams (+160) schedule going forward. If they can beat the 49ers, Jets, and Cardinals, they’ll have a good shot at winning the division.
2024 NFL Futures Best Bets: AFC North Winner – Ravens (+180), NFC West Winner – Rams (+160)
Stat Leaders
One of the other 2024 NFL futures market to search for best bets in is the stat leaders section. In the offseason on our AFC North preview on Old-Fashioned Football, I gave out Derrick Henry to lead the league in touchdowns at +650. He’s the current favorite at +210. However, I still feel like that’s excellent value to get him at.
Henry currently has 13 rushing touchdowns, which is tied with Jalen Hurts (+240). If you took the bet I gave out early in the year, taking Hurts now is an excellent way to hedge your bet. However, I think Henry “runs” away with this one to close the season.
Others in contention include David Montgomery (+350) and Kyren Williams (+550) with 12. With how much the Rams run the ball near the redzone, Kyren Williams has excellent value. Especially if the Ravens and Eagles have playoffs wrapped up by Week 18 and sit their starters, while the Rams are playing for the division and playoff seeding.
2024 NFL Futures Best Bets: Derrick Henry (+210) and Kyren Williams (+550)
